Frequency and complications of chronic iridocyclitis in ANA-positive pauciarticular juvenile chronic arthritis

Psychological Effects and Quality of Life in Parents and Children with Jia-Associated Uveitis

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic inflammatory disease common in children and young adults. Uveitis is the most frequent serious extra-articular JIA manifestation and can lead to severe ocular complications, vision loss, and permanent blindness. This study aims to evaluate the psychological condition and the quality of life of children affected by JIA associated with uveitis (JIA-U) and the repercussion of this condition on parents. Thirty children and adolescents with active uveitis (Uveitis group) and comorbid joint symptoms of JIA were referred to the Unit of Ophthalmology, Giovanni XXIII Hospital of Bari, and 30 age-matched healthy controls (Healthy group) were enrolled with their parents. Four questionnaires were administered: Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL), Parent Stress Index in Short Form (PSI), Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), and Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS). The data were collected from February 2021 to December 2021. No significant differences between the two groups in CBCL, PSI, or CISS tests were shown (p > 0.05). Conversely, significant differences between the two groups were observed in the PedsQL (p < 0.05). This study shows how several ocular complications, recurrent eye examinations, and the rigor of long-term treatment may negatively influence health-related quality of life in children with JIA-U.

Laser Flare Photometry: A Useful Tool for Monitoring Patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis-associated Uveitis

PURPOSE

We evaluated laser flare photometry (LFP) values in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)-associated uveitis.

METHODS

Retrospective study. A decrease of the LFP value between baseline visit and 1 month after anti-inflammatory treatment intensification allowed us to define two groups of patients: group 1 (decreased LFP value ≥50%) and group 2 (<50%). We evaluated the prevalence of vision-threatening complications in both groups.

RESULTS

Fifty-four patients (87 eyes) were followed for 9.9 ± 5 years. Group 1 eyes (n = 54) had significantly fewer ocular complications than group 2 eyes (n = 33) at both 5 years visit (p = .03) and final visit (p = .047). At the final visit, group 2 eyes had significantly more band keratopathy, trabeculectomy, cataract surgery, glaucoma and papille edema. Group 1 eyes kept a better visual acuity (p < .0001).

CONCLUSION

The decrease of LFP values ≥50% of the initial value 1 month after treatment intensification is a good early prognostic factor.

Inflammatory arthritis mimicking Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) in a child: A case report

Joint complaints in childhood are seen frequently and differential diagnosis can be difficult. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common rheumatological disease of childhood. It involves peripheral joint arthritis, chronic synovitis, and extra-articular manifestations. Accurate diagnosis can take a long time and sometimes multiple diagnoses are used while following the patient until a final diagnosis can be reached. Arthritis may be triggered by trauma and confused with other diseases like complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), in which trauma plays a role in the etiology. In the present case, ankle pain in an 8-year-old girl was misdiagnosed as CRPS.

The importance of an ophthalmologic examination in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Uveitis occurs within the first year of arthritis onset in 73% of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) considered at risk. The intraocular inflammation is characterized by an insidious onset and a silent and chronic clinical course capable of producing significant visual loss due to complications such as: cataract formation, secondary glaucoma, maculopathy and optic neuropathy. The absence of initial signs and symptoms, along with a deficient ophthalmic monitoring produce a delay in diagnosis with serious consequences. It has been estimated that 47% of JIA patients at risk for developing uveitis are legally blind (20/200 or worse) at least in one eye at the time of their first visit to the ophthalmologist. To reduce ocular complications and improve their visual outcome, it is necessary that rheumatologists refer all patients recently diagnosed (within the first month) with JIA for an ophthalmic evaluation, and maintain periodical follow-up visits based on classification and risk category of the disease.

Recent advances in uveitis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Chronic scarring-type uveitis is a frequent extra-articular manifestation of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. It occurs in about 20% of children with this disease, commencing typically within a few years from its onset. The risk of uveitis is greatest in antinuclear antibody-positive girls with early onset oligoarthritis. The classic clinical picture is chronic bilateral anterior uveitis, usually asymptomatic until substantial damage to intraocular structures occurs. In view of the asymptomatic nature of the condition, routine screening of juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients 2-4 times a year is crucial to prevent complications. The treatment consists of topical corticosteroids and mydriatics, in severe cases with immunosuppressive agents, and surgical management of complications. Although the prognosis of uveitis is improving, there are cases refractory to standard regimens. Patients in whom uveitis commences prior to the onset of arthritis present a special problem.

An evaluation of baseline risk factors predicting severity in juvenile idiopathic arthritis associated uveitis and other chronic anterior uveitis in early childhood

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The clinical course for childhood chronic anterior uveitis can vary from mild, self limiting disease to bilateral blindness. The purpose of this study was to identify those risk factors at onset that predict disease severity.

METHODS

A retrospective case note review of all patients with painless anterior uveitis diagnosed from 1982 to 1998. Patients were divided into two cohorts based on route of referral, diagnosis, and compliance with treatment. The standard cohort consisted of only those diagnosed from routine screening of juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

RESULTS

Complications-cataract surgery, ocular hypertension treatment, and visual acuity <6/24. Remission: inactive uveitis on no topical treatment for >6 months. Results-163 patients were included. 34 patients (21%) developed at least one complication. The most significant predictor of complications was severe disease at onset (p = 0.001). Other factors included uveitis at the first examination (p = 0.034), membership of the non-standard cohort (p = 0.0001), non-oligoarticular disease (p = 0.02), and late onset arthritis (p = 0.024). Male sex was associated with increased complications in the standard cohort (p = 0.001). Factors predisposing to remission included membership of the standard cohort (p = 0.003), onset after 1990 (p = 0.016), white race (p = 0.015), mild disease onset (p = 0.003), and a long gap between arthritis and uveitis onset (p = 0.015).

CONCLUSIONS

It is possible to characterise the severity of those with childhood chronic anterior uveitis at the onset of disease. The majority of patients remit without visually disabling complications. It may be possible to reduce the complication rate by targeting aggressive immunosuppression on high risk patients before complications develop.